Food pantry staples needed at Together We Cope

The food pantry staples needed for TWC’s client families change in the summer when children are home from school and don’t have access to the free and reduced breakfast and lunch program.

Together We Cope’s food pantry gears up for this annual need by seeking donations of lunchtime food pantry staples for distribution to families in our program. Items most appreciated at this time of year include cereal, oatmeal, soup, crackers, mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, tuna fish, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Monetary donations are especially appreciated (click here to donate online) because we can purchase groceries from the Greater Chicago Food Depository at greatly reduced prices, stretching food dollars even further. Community food drives, however, remain a staple of TWC’s pantry program and our agency is fortunate to have this kind of citizen support throughout the year.

Got a group? Host a food drive. It’s an easy way for your business, school, church or community group to make a big difference in the community. We can provide a list of groceries we need most. We will drop off bins and pick them up when you’re done. Call our pantry services manager George Rumbaugh at 708-633-5040, ext. 7228. [click here to download a flier you can use]

Host a personal care products drive, or a diaper drive. These items aren’t covered by SNAP benefits (food stamps). When we can provide them, it enables clients to use their own money for rent or mortgage payments and helps them stay in their homes. For a list of toiletries we need most, click here. For a diaper drive flier, click here.

Online donations

Events Calendar

Fri. March 8Free produce distributed in Markham by the Greater Chicago Food Depository Produce Mobile. Second Friday every month (excluding holidays) from 10:30 a.m. until supplies run out. Arrive early. No income or age guidelines to participate. Bremen Township Administrative Office, 16361 Kedzie Parkway, Markham. For information call 708-333-9530.

Fri. April 12Free produce distributed in Markham by the Greater Chicago Food Depository Produce Mobile. Second Friday every month (excluding holidays) from 10:30 a.m. until supplies run out. Arrive early. No income or age guidelines to participate. Bremen Township Administrative Office, 16361 Kedzie Parkway, Markham. For information call 708-333-9530.

I WAS IN THERE TODAY WITH MY GRANDSON and he had been crying because he had just found out his bike was stolen! This kind woman took him by his hand and led him to 6 bikes and let him take whichever one he wanted! The tears stopped because of this act of kindness! — Marianne

GREAT MISSION, good thrift store! I’ve been on the receiving end and now the giving end. Thankful for it! — Tricia

AMAZING ORGANIZATION . . . so kind. Seeing all they do for the community is impressive. Thank you for helping us supply so many young students with prom dresses, you guys are THE BEST!!! Great Heart! — Whitmore Ace Hardware

I DONATE FOOD BAGS AS OFTEN AS I CAN; as well as toys, school items, and items for re-sale — knowing that they will be put to good use. Thank you everyone at TWC for all you do. — Janelle

NICE HELPFUL STAFF, clean environment, and they don’t make you wait all day. — Patricia

THEY DO SO MUCH FOR THE COMMUNITY! I am proud to say that I am a client there. My family could not survive without the food pantry. The staff and volunteers are the nicest people. No one has ever made me feel lower or less than. I thank God for Together We Cope! — Natasha